Post date: Apr 1, 2021 5:48:42 PM
MSM2 Block 1
SOLs Covered: 8.8 Three-Dimensional Models
Math Unit: 20 3-D Models
Daily Agenda: March 29-31 & April 1, 2021
Upcoming Assessments: 4.02 Composite Figures Quiz (TBD)
Math 7H Blocks 2 & 3
SOLs Covered: 8.8 Three-Dimensional Models
Math Unit: 20 3-D Models
Daily Agenda: March 29-31, 2021 & April 1, 2021
Upcoming Assessments: 4.02 Composite Figures Quiz (TBD)
And that's a wrap! Well, on the third quarter at least but that means we're heading into the final stretch! The kids have worked really hard throughout all of this year, but many really stepped up their game the past couple weeks to finish the term on an even stronger note. We've already started accumulating grades for the final term since all of this week's work will go onto the final report card. This is to ensure that kids have a chance to make up any of the work from this week as needed, which some kids are going to need since they're unfortunately already behind on one or more assignments and some still haven't submitted the quiz we took today for the unit. If they are behind, I recommend they catch up as soon as possible both while the information is still fresh in their minds and so they can head into spring break without any school worries to weigh them down.
This week we started another geometry topic, three-dimensional models. This can be a difficult topic for some kids who have a hard time visualizing what a 2-D image would look like in its solid form. In a normal year, I'd had out blocks so they can build the figures and manipulate them. This is unfortunately not an option this year, but I highly encourage students who have access to blocks of any kind at home to play with them to get more of a solid understanding of the topic. I did introduce the kids to an NCTM site that simulates the experience, but there's nothing quite like holding the 3D model in your hands and being able to observe it from every angle. Some of the kids were thrilled to hear me recommend playing Minecraft (the building part specifically for this) as part of their studying for this topic. Additionally, I recommend playing 3D Tetris for additional practice. There are probably a variety of options for this, but here are two that the kids should be able to play on their Chromebooks: Math Is Fun and eBhasin. As previously stated, we wrapped the unit up with a quiz today. I'll still accept any of this week's new work after the break of course, including this quiz, but ideally they'd turn it in as soon as possible.
I'm sending this out a little early since I have to deliver one of the pizzas for my little math art challenge, but I'm so proud of all the kids' hard work in my class as well as all of their other classes thus far this year and I think we've all more than earned the break! I hope everyone has a restful, happy, fun, stress-free spring break! While I'll be slightly less connected over the break while I gear up to head into the final stretch of the year, still feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Happy spring, folks!!!